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The first felony DUI sentence in Washington's new felony DUI law resulted in a four year prison sentence for a man from Island County.

The DUI law in Washington changed in 2007 allowing for a felony charge for a fourth offense or if one offense involves an assault or homicide charge. 45 year-old Kelly Wayne Shields pleaded guilty last week to a charge of felony driving under the influence. He was convicted of vehicular assault and was therefore automatically charged with a felony. Shields agreed to a plea bargain and was sentenced to four years in prison.

Shields was arrested on January 29 after he was stopped for driving erratically. Shields was driving with a suspended license at the time and a breathalyzer test showed his blood alcohol content to be .23 percent, almost thrice the legal limit of .08 percent.

If you or someone you know is facing DUI charges in the state of Washington, procuring an experienced and trustworthy attorney is of paramount importance to the outcome of your case. Please contact a Seattle DUI lawyer of Cowan, Kirk & Gaston by calling 866-822-1230.

Cowan Kirk Kattenhorn

Cowan Kirk Kattenhorn is known throughout Washington and the nation for representing all of its clients with commitment, creativity and compassion. We recognize how devastating a DUI charge can be, particularly when our clients learn how incredibly tough Washington's DUI laws have become, even for a first-time offender.

If you need a DUI defense attorney in Seattle, Bellevue, or King County, contact us today to find out why respect for our clients, a passion for justice, and our commitment to winning have earned each of us the highest honor a member of the bar can receive from our colleagues – their referrals.